Foreign particle inspection machine

ABSTRACT

Liquid filled containers to be inspected are stored upright on a rotating disc which feeds them between funnel defining walls to a V-shaped opening in a slide block movable radially in timed relationship with an intermittently driven turret. The turret has a plurality of chucks for receiving the containers, and an elevating mechanism raises a container upwardly into each chuck at a machine infeed station. Each container is then spun at one or more succeeding stations to cause the liquid to swirl therein, after which rotation is stopped at an inspection station and successive video frames recorded to detect differences due to particles moving in the still swirling liquid. Logic circuitry must then generate a positive &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;accept&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; signal for discharge at one machine station. Any container not so accepted will be discharged at a succeeding station.

United States Patent Stephens et al.

FOREIGN PARTICLE INSPECTION MACHINE Inventors: Edward John Stephens,Manchester;

Ernest Vader Hart, West Hartford, both of Conn.; Andre MauriceVandandaigue, Saint Therese, Quebec, Canada Assignee: EmhartCorporation, Bloomfield,

Conn.

Filed: Sept. 9, 1971 Appl. No.: 179,142

Related US. Application Data Continuation of Ser. No. 869,144, Oct. 24,1969, abandoned.

US. Cl. 209/73, 209/11 1.7, 250/223 B, 356/197, 198/22, 214/1 BB lint.Cl. B07c 5/342 Field of Search 356/197, 198; 209/l11.7, 111.5, 73;250/223 B; 198/22; 221/175, 136; 214/1 BB References Cited UNITED STATESPATENTS 7/1957 Richards 209/l1l.5 UX

[ Oct. 16, 1973 3,146,887 9/1964 Mottin et a1. 209/73 3,217,877 1l/1965Honjyo et al. 356/197 x 3,453,804 7/1969 Taylor et al. 221/175 X3,528,544 9/1970 Noguchi et a1. 209/1 11.7 X

Primary Examiner-Allen N. Knowles Attorney-McCormick, Paulding & Huber[57] ABSTRACT Liquid filled containers to be inspected are storedupright on a rotating disc which feeds them between funnel definingwalls to a V-shaped opening in a slide block movable radially in timedrelationship with an intermittently driven turret. The turret has aplurality of chucks for receiving the containers, and an elevatingmechanism raises a container upwardly into each chuck at a machineinfeed station. Each container is then spun at one or more succeedingstations to cause the liquid to swirl therein, after which rotation isstopped at an inspection station and successive video frames recorded todetect differences due to particles moving in the still swirling liquid.Logic circuitry must then generate a positive accept signal fordischarge at one machine station. Any container not so accepted will bedischarged at a succeeding station.

19 Claims, 9 lirawing Figures PATENTEnncI 16 ms 3.765.533

sum 2 OF 0 FIG. 2

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PATENTEnucI 16 ms 3.765.533

' sum 3 0F 6 FIG. 4

PAIENTEMEI 161915 3.765.533 SHEET 6 BF 6 EJECT REJECT CT-l cR-zCOMPARATOR TV SWITCHING CAMERA QUANT'ZER LOGIC TIMER I50].

MEMORY ISZ CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application is acontinuation of application Ser. No. 869,144 entitled FOREIGN PARTICLEINSPEC- TION MACHINE, filed Oct. 24, 1969, said application being in thenames of Edward John Stephens, Ernest Vader Hart and Andre MauriceVandandaigue, and now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION This inventionrelates to the inspection ofliquid filled containers for the presence of foreign particles, anddeals more particularly with a machine capable of detecting minuteparticles of a size which is considered objectionable in pharmaceuticalampoules or the like.

One rather common method of inspecting such containers is to manuallyrotate the hermetically sealed transparent ampoule in a twisting motionwhich causes the liquid contents to swirl around in the ampoule. Theampoule is then visually checked for foreign material moving wih theswirling liquid. U. S. Pat. No. 2,635,194 issued to Kellog et al in 1953shows and describes a device for aiding one engaged in such a tediousinspection task. In the patented device the ampoule is held againstdriven rollers and rotated briefly to cause the liquid contents toswirl. A beam of light is passed transversely through the container tobe picked up by a photocell. The photocell is linked to an indicatorcircuit for energizing a. buzzer or other warning device when the levelof illumination is altered to some predetermined extent by a particle ofsufficient size. Other devices, of a more automated nature have beenproposed as shown in U. S. Pat. Nos. 3,217,877 and 3,146,887 issued toI-Ionjyo et al and Mottin et al respectively, but these machines haveall depended upon the ability of one or more photocells to detect theparticles as a result of the scattering of light due to movement of theparticles in the swirling liquid.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a machinefor automatically inspecting individual ampoules for the presence offoreign particles by video means, which machine is capable of storingthese ampoules upright, of advancing them seriatim to an infeed stationwhere a turret-type handling fixture holds them and spins each of thembriefly to cause the liquid therein to swirl so that the video means canrecord, in successive frames, at least two signals which are thencompared electronically. The result is then used to discharge thedefective ampoules at a reject station, and to deposit the acceptableones at another machine station for subsequent handling.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION In an inspection machine wherein the liquidcontents of hermetically sealed ampoules are to be checked for thepresence of foreign particles means is described for storing a pluralityof such containers, and for feeding each of these toward an infeedstation where each container is chucked for indexed movement in a turretand for spinning each container momentarily, and for taking successivevideo pictures of each container as the liquid therein continues toswirl. Logic cllrcuitry then generates an accept signal depending uponthe results of a electronic comparison between two or more of thesevideo frames and the acceptable liquid filled containers are dischargedfrom said turret and chuck at ore machine station while the defectiveones are removed at a succeeding machine station.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a machinewhich embodies the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the means for storing containers and foradvancing them toward the infeed station of the machine of FIG. ll.

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectllonal view taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 2 showingthe means for elevating each container at the infeed station, said meansbeing shown in full lines and in broken lines to indicate the relativemotion thereof.

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view through a lower portion of theturret shown in the FIG. I machine.

FIG. 5 is an elevational view partly in section showing one of the chuckmeans provided in the turret, and also showing a container alignedtherewith prior to being elevated by the mechanism of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is an elevational view similar to FIG. 5 but showing thecontainer secured in the chuck means.

FIG. 7 is a schematic electrical diagram of the control circuitry foroperating the machine of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a schematic functional diagram of the logic circuitry shown inFIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 99 of FIG. 5showing the lower end of the chuck means.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Turning now to the drawings in greater detail, FIG.I shows in elevation an inspection machine incorporating the presentinvention, and comprising a counter height table 10 supported on aconventional frame. A generally horizontally extending shelf 12 isprovided for supporting an electric motor 14. A variable source ofelectrical power is provided for a purpose to be discussed in greaterdetail with reference to Fig. and is indicated generally at 16 inFIG. 1. The electric motor 14 is drivingly connected through a drivebelt 20 to a gear box 22 having a vertically upwardly extending outputshaft 24 and a horizontally extending output shaft 26. The output shaft24 operates an intermittently driven turret, indicated generally at 30,through a conventional geneva drive, indicated generally at 28, so thata plurality of angularly spaced chuck means 32 provided in the turret 30are indexed between a plurality of corresponding machine stations, witha short dwell interval at each such station. The gear box output shaft26 operates three limit switches CTl, CT2 and GT3 in timed relationshipwith rotation of the intermittently driven turret 30. The functions ofthese limit switches will be described in greater detail hereinbelowwith reference to the schematic view of the machines control circuitryshown in FIG. 7.

Still with reference to FIG. l, a rotary table or disc, indicatedgenerally at 34, is provided for storing a plurality of containers, orampoules, for inspection and for advancing these containers to an infeedstation associated with the turret 30. One such ampoule 36 is shown atsaid infeed station, and is there held by one of the chuck means 32 forindexing movement in a clockwise direction as viewed from above throughfour successive machine stations so as to be presented in front of atelevision camera 136 which camera generates successive video signals ofthe ampoule for inspection by the method disclosed in a co-pendingapplication entitled Article Inspection By Successively Televised Imagesfiled May 20, 1968 and assigned to the assignee herein. Depending uponthe output signal from the circuitry described in detail in the abovementioned patent application, and summarized briefly with reference toFIG. 8 herein, the inspected ampoule is either discharged at the nextsucceeding station and dropped into the normal discharge chute 42, or isdeposited at the next succeeding machine station, as shown by theampoule 38 in the reject chute 44 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 2 shows a portion of the rotating circular table, or disc 34, uponwhich a plurality of ampoules are adapted to be stored, and whichadvances these ampoules to the infeed station of the machine. The rotarytable 34 is adapted to be continuously driven in a counter-clockwisedirection as viewed from above in the direction of the arrow 35, and thespeed thereof may be adjusted by the knob indicated generally at 50 inFIG. 1 through a conventional device (not shown). As shown in FIG. 2 aperipheral fence 52 is provided around at least the right hand half ofthe rotating table or disc 34, and an arcuately shaped radiallyoutwardly protruding center fixture or guide 54 cooperates with thefacing wall of the fence 52 so as to define a funnel shaped passagewayinto which the containers or ampoules are urged by the rotating table.Thus, these containers are fed in a packed grouping toward the infeedstation, indicated generally by the ampoule 36. The fixed guide 54 isadjustable in position by means of the hand knob 56, which knob extendsthrough a slot 58 provided for this purpose in the guide 54 and has alower portion threadably received in a fixed block (not shown) in thefixed frame of the machine. This adjustably located fixed guide 54permits this machine to conveniently accommodate containers or ampoulesof varying size.

A slide block 60 is provided at the infeed station for moving eachampoule radially outwardly with respect to the rotary table, beingmovable between the broken line and the solid line positions shown inFIG. 2. A V- shaped opening 62 is provided in the slide block 60 toreceive one of the ampoules as it is fed or advanced by the rotatingdisc 34, and the ampoule in this opening 62 is thus adapted to beshifted radially from a first position adjacent the peripheral edge ofthe disc 34 to a second position off the disc wherein the ampoule 36 islocated below one of the chuck means 32 provided in the rotatable turret30. This position will be referred to herein as the infeed station ofthe machine.

In accordance with the present invention means is provided for elevatingeach ampoule at said infeed station for insertion in one of said chuckmeans 32 during the dwell interval of the associated turret, and intimed relationship with radial reciprocating movement of the slide block60. FIG. 3 shows a rotary cam 64, driven from the same motor 14 as usedto drive the turret 30, and operable to raise a cam follower block 66upwardly from the broken line position shown in FIG. 3 to the solid lineposition wherein the ampoule 36 is adapted to be releasably secured bythe chuck means 32. The cam follower block 66 preferably has a lowerplate 67 which is so shaped that its inner end 69 is adapted to beslidably received in the V-shaped opening 62 of the radiallyreciprocable slide block 60. A spring loaded device 70, best shown inFIG. 2, may be provided for assuring that the ampoule 36 in the V-shapedopening 62 of the slide block 60 is adapted to remain in position duringradial movement of the slide block 60 as described above.

In order to prevent jamming of the ampoules in the funnel shaped openingdefined between the peripheral fence 52 and the guide 54, and in orderto prevent toppling of these ampoules as they are advanced toward theinfeed station of the machine, a small vibrator unit 53 of conventionalconstruction is peripherally mounted on the fence 52 at the locationshown in FIG. 2.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show in detail the construction of each of the chuck means32 for releasably retaining the ampoules 36, 36 in the turret as thelatter follows the indexing movement referred to above. The elevatingmechanism shown in FIG. 3 is adapted to lift each ampoule at the infeedstation in the direction suggested by the arrow 37 of FIG. 5 so as toreleasably retain the ampoule in the chuck means as shown in FIG. 6.While a pharmaceutical ampoule of conventional shape is shown in thepresently preferred embodiment, it will be apparent from the descriptionto follow that the chuck means 32 might be adapted for use in inspectingcontainers of somewhat different external configuration. Each chuckmeans 32 comprises a holder which has a downwardly open lower portion inwhich the upper end of the ampoule is adapted to be received assuggested in FIG. 9. Radially movable spring loaded ball elements 82, 82are carried in cylindrical openings provided for this purpose in theholder 80 for frictionally engaging the upper end of the ampoule, andmore particularly for engaging the necked down portion 39 thereofcharacteristic of the ampoule shown so as to cause the ampoule to rotatewith the holder 80 at selected stations in the turret. Spin motors 84,84 are mounted in the turret 30 and each such motor 84 has an outputshaft 86 to which the holder 80 is secured for accomplishing thisspinning motion. Suitable means to be described is provided foroperating these spin motors at selected machine stations, and forbraking said motors electrically so that the still swirling liquidcauses foreign particles contained therein to be sensed by the camera136 at the inspection station.

Turning now to a more specific description of the chuck means 32, eachunit has an elongated tubular portion 88 the upper end of which iscarried by the drive shaft 86 of the spin motor 84, and a lower portionwhich is secured to the holder 80 by suitable means, as for example by awelded connection. A pair of clamping screws 89, 89 are adapted tosecure the upper end of the tubular member 88 to the lower end of theshaft 86. A plug, or plunger 90, is slidably received in the tubularmember 88, and has a lower end portion which is adapted to be engaged bythe upper end of the ampoule 36 as the latter is received in the holder80. After engaging the plug 90, the ampoule neck portion 39 is clampedby the spring loaded ball elements 82, 82. An annular collar 92 isprovided on the lower end of the holder 80 to define an opening ofaccurate size and shape for receiving the ampoule 36, and this collar 92is preferably of such a size as to snugly receive the shoulder portion37 of the ampoule 36 so that the ball elements 82, 82 engage the neckportion 39 of the ampoule 36 so as to securely hold the ampoule 36 inthe chuck means 32 by urging the shoulder 37 against the collar 92.Thus, the ampoule 36 is accurately aligned in the chuck means with thecenter line thereof for the inspection operation to be described.

Still with reference to the chuck means 32 of FIGS. 5 and 6, theplunger, or plug 90, carries a pin 94 which pin has its end portionsextending through the elongated slots 96, 96 in the tubular member 88,and the outermost ends of the pin 94 are secured in an annular collar 98slidably received on the outside of the tubular member 88. As soconstructed and arranged, insertion of the ampoule 36 in the chuck means32, as indicated by the arrow 37 in FIG. 5, causes the plug 90 to beraised from its FIG. 5 position to that shown in FIG. 6.

Conversely, when the ampoule 36 is to be discharged or rejected from thechuck means 32, downward movement of the collar 98, as for example bydownward pressure on its upper flange 99, causes corresponding downwardmovement of the plug or plunger 90, to urge the ampoule 36 out of thechuck means 32, and out of its position between the ball elements 82, 82for either discharging the ampoule normally or rejecting it should it bea defective container.

As best shown in FIG. 1, the normal discharge station is associated withthe discharge chute 42, and the reject station for discharging defectiveampoules is associated with the chute 44, containing the unacceptableampoule 38 shown sliding down the chute after having been released fromthe associated chuck means 32 thereabove. Operation of the chuck meansat each of these stations is controlled by operation of an air cylinderas indicated generally at 100 and 102 respectively. The air motor 100 isassociated with the normal discharge station and is adapted to releasean ampoule from an associated chuck means 32 through a bell crank 104and push rod 108. A bifurcated member, indicated generally at 112, ismounted at the upper end of the push rod 108 and carries a horizontallymovable, and spring loaded member 113, for engagement with the flangedportion 99 of the annular collar 98 of the chuck describedabove. The aircylinder 102' also has a bell crank 106 associated therewith foroperation of a verticalpush rod 110 which is associated with abifurcated member 114 provided at the upper end thereof, and ahorizontally movable member 115 is adapted to act upon the flangedcollar 99 so as to reject an ampoule at the rejection station as shownat 38. The air motor 100 is controlled by a conventional solenoid valvethrough the circuitry shown in FIG. 7, and more particularly by thesolenoid A. The air motor 102 is controlled by a cam actuated switch(not shown) through a solenoid valve to-reject any ampoule reaching thereject station.

Turning now to a more complete description of the means for selectivelyspinning each 'chuckmeans, at least during the dwell interval at one ofthe said machine stations, so as to cause the liquid to swirl attheinspection station FIG. 7 shows a variable DC power supply 16 forselective operation of eight spin motors 84, 84 indicated schematicallyby the reference letter A-H inclusively. A slip ring 120 and associatedbrush means 128 is continuously connected to one of the two conductorsassociated with each of the spin motors. The slip ring 120 is mountedfor rotation with the turret 30 and the brush 128 is fixed in a housing110 best shown in FIG. 4. The conductor 122 associated with 124 throughassociated brushes 122a, 122b, 1220 and 122d shown schematically in FIG.7. The physical configuration of the slip ring and its brushes 128, aswell as the commutator 124 and one of its brushes 122a, is shown indetail in FIG. 4 wherein the slip ring 120 is secured to the exterior ofan annular shaft extension 126 of a hollow shaft 31 associated with therotating turret 30. The shaft extension 126 also carries commutator 124and the rotating conductors associated therewith are shown in FIG. 4 tohave a generally U- shaped configuration in that they extend around thelower end portion of the extension 126 and thence upwardly through thehollow shaft 31 to each of the various spin motors 84, 84 best shown inFIG. 1. Each of the distinct annular segments of the commutator areinsulated from one another, and one or more of the brushes, 122a through122d inclusively, are adapted to selectively energize each such annularsegment so as to energize the associated spin motor 84 as the motor andchuck menas dwell at the machine stations depicted schematically in FIG.7.

More particularly, at the instant of time depicted in FIG. 7 spin motorA indicates the infeed or load station for the ampoules, and spin motorB the next succeeding station at which that motor is electricallyconnected through conductor 126 to the variable DC power supply forenergizing that particular spin motor. A potentiometer is preferablyprovided in the line 126 for adjusting the speed of spin motor B. Spinmotor C at the next succeeding machine station also involves spinning ofthe ampoule through the conductor 118 associated with the brush 122b.The turret station associated with spin motor D also allows that ampouleto be rotated during a portion of the dwell interval at said station,but is preferably braked through a limit switch CT3 just prior to thenext indexing movement of the turret which movement will present thatampoule at the inspection station, indicated generally by spin motor E.Spin motor D is connected to the power supply 16 through conductor 130,an adjustable potentiometer, and brush 1220. However, just prior toindexing movement of the turret 30 for advancing the ampoule associatedwith spin motor D to the inspection station, limit switch CT3 moves toits alternate position and that spin motor I) is braked through theconductor 132. Conductor 134 from the slip ring 120 is also associatedwith the inspection station itself and assures that no rotationalmovement of the ampoule being inspected is possible, and, therefore,only the liquid contained therein continues to move so that motion ofany foreignparticles can be detected by the camera 136.

Turning now to a more complete description of the logic circuitry andassociated means for inspecting the contents of the swirling liquid atthe inspection station,

FIG. 8 shows schematically a method and means for in-' specting articlesby successively televised images similar to that described in aco-pending application entitled Article Inspection By SuccessivelyTelevised Images filed May 20, 1968 under Ser. No. 730,377 and assignedto the assignee herein. As described in the above mentioned patentapplication, and as shown schematically in FIG. 8, means is provided forilluminating the transparent container 36 from beneath. Said meanspreferably comprises a source of light, indicated generally at 140,which may be shielded as shown schematically at 142, and which ispreferably focused so as to pass a beam of light upwardly through theinterior of the container 36. Ideally this light beam is of such widthand sufficiently collimated that the container walls are not appreciablyilluminated. Rather, only foreign particles contained in the liquid areilluminated as they are carried around in a generally circular path as aresult of the swirling action created by the previous spinning of theampoule by the chuck means 32. This focusing is accomplished byinserting a lens system 144 which focuses the beam of light emanatingfrom the source 140 so it passes only through the lower wall of thecontainer 36, thereby presenting a relatively dark or black backgroundfor the television camera 136 in order to provide a contrast for theilluminated particles contained therein. These particles will cause ascattering of the light so that some light will be reflected orscattered by the particles of right angles to the upwardly directedlight beam so as to reach the television camera 136.

The camera 136 comprises a conventional component of the system and isadapted to produce a video output when triggered by the timer 150. Thevideo output signal is altered into pulse form by a quantizer 148.Electronic switching logic 154 handles each particular camera frame, orits corresponding pulse, sending it either to the memory device 152, ordirectly to the comparator 156. In accordance with the inventiondescribed in the above mentioned patent application the switching logic154 receives a signal from the timer and serves the function ofsynchronizing the successive voltage pulses for timed delivery to thecomparator. For example, an initial voltage output, reduced to pulseform, from the camera might be supplied, through the switching logic, tothe memory device 152, and a subsequent voltage pulse synchronizedtherewith through the timer and fed through the switching logic 154directly to the comparator 156, with the initial pulse beingsimultaneously recalled from the memory device and fed to the comparator156 for an electronic subtraction operation used to generate a rejectsignal. The said signal is stored by control relay CR2 for use at anappropriate time in the machine cycle for rejecting or ejecting theampoule at one or another of the two successive stations in the machinereferred to above with reference to the discharge chute 42 and thereject chute 44. I

The logic circuitry of FIG. 8 is indicated schematically in the overallelectrical schematic of FIG; 7 at 160. The conductors 162 and 164energize the logic circuitry and the output'thereof is indicatedschematically as operating the control relayCR2 which in turn operatesthe contacts CR2-l for energizing solenoid A which operates a valve (notshown) for providing the air to air motor 100 when an acceptable ampouleis detected. The actual start of the inspection cycle is determinedthrough limit switch CTl, also shown in FIG. 1, for achieving thisinspection at the proper point in time during the dwell period of theampoule at the inspection station. The actual eject signal to thesolenoid A is however postponed until limit switch CT2 is closed, sothat the point in time during which an acceptable ampoule is dischargedis achieved at the appropriate point in time during the dwell of theturret. The rejection of unacceptable ampoules is accomplished through acam switch which is sequentially energized each time that the turret isindexed to a particular machine station. In other words, a positiveoutput is required from the logic circuitry in order to pass anacceptable ampoule, and any ampoule not so passed is subsequentlyrejected at the next succeeding station in chute 44. Thus, a fail safeoperation is assured, only acceptable ampoules being passed by themachine rather than following the usual approach of assuring that onlyunacceptable ampoules are rejected.

With further reference to FIG. 7, a limit switch LS1, indicatedgenerally at 40, is shown on line of the schematic in order tode-energize the main control relay CR1 opening its contact CR1-1 anddeenergizing the motor relay 172. Thus, LS-l must be closed to closecontacts M-1 and M-2 for energizing the main electric motor 14 of thesystem. The switch LS1 is shown in FIG. 1 to be provided at the eightmachine station, intermediate the reject station, and the infeedstation. Thus, LS1 is so located at this eight machine station as todetect the condition of the annular collar 98. If the collar is raised,indicating that an ampoule has somehow been retained in the chuck means32 at this point during the machine cycle, the entire machine is shutdown in order to avoid jamming by attempting to raise another ampouleinto that chuck at the infeed station.

We claim:

1. In a machine for inspecting transparent containers for the presenceof foreign particles in the liquid contents thereof, the improvementscomprising a turret having a plurality of angularly spaced chucks forreleasably retaining said containers, menas for rotating said turretintermittently so that each chuck is indexed between a plurality ofmachine stations with a short dwell interval at each such station,rotary table means for storing a plurality of upright containers and foradvancing them toward an infeed station, means defining a funnel shapedpassageway into which said containers are urged by said rotary tablewhile en route to said infeed station, radially reciprocable meanshaving an opening to receive a container from said funnel shapedpassageway for shifting such container outwardly off the rotary table,cam means for elevating each container so shifted and while it is atsaid infeed station and in timed relationship with said turret drive soas to lift each container in turn into said chuck where it is releasablyretained for movement with said turret.

2. The combination defined in claim 1 further characterized by means forselectively spinning each chuck to cause the liquid to swirl therein,means at an inspection station for generating a signal indicative of thecondition of said containers contents with respect to the presence offoreign particles, and means for stopping said spinning chuck to allowthe liquid contents only to swirl at said inspection station.

3. The combination defined in claim 2 wherein each of said chuck meanscomprises a holder rotatably supported in said indexable turret andhaving a lower opening adapted to receive the upper end of saidcontainer, and radially movable elements carried by said holder forfrictionally engaging the upper end of the container to cause it torotate with said holder in response to said selective chuck spinningmeans. 4. The combination defined in claim 3 wherein each of said chuckmeans further includes an axially reciprocable plunger for engaging theupper end of the container to release it from said holder and fromthginfluence of said radially movable elements.

:5. The combination defined in claim :4 further characterized by meansfor releasing inspected containers at a discharge station, said meanscomprising a verti- I cally reciaiaeaaie'reieas member ma'aia'te'a'irisaidima chine, and wherein said chuck means further includes a radiallyoutwardly extending flange collar slidably mounted on said holder andconnected to said plunger armarsmsatths ewi l and m ns. XQF...B19VV1E.Said release member downwardly in timed relationship with said turretindexing movement.

3. The combination defined in claim further characterized by secondmeans for releasing inspected containers at another machine station inaddition to said discharge station, said second means including a secondrelease member, and means for moving said second release member at saidanother station, and at least one of said means for releasing containersat one of said machine stations operating in response to said containercontent signal to operate one of said plungers for releasing a containerdirectly from said container content signal, said other means forreleasing containers operating cyclically to release every containerreaching that station.

7. The combination defined in claim 2 wherein said means for selectivelyspinning each chuck comprises a plurality of electric motors each ofwhich is drivingly connected to one of said chuck means and each ofwhich has a pair of conductors associated therewith, a control shaftupon which said turret is rotatably supported in said machine, a slipring on said shaft, a fixed brush for said slip ring, a commutator onsaid shaft and having at least as many distinct conductive angularsegments as said turret has electric motors, and a fixed brush for saidcommutator, said pair of electric motor conductors being connected tosaid segments respectively to allow selective energizing of said spinmotors.

3: The combination defined in claim 2 further characterized by means forilluminating the container from below at said inspection station toilluminate any foreign particles present in the swirling liquid, saidmeans comprising a source of light so located as to direct lightupwardly through the bottom of said container.

a The combination defined in claim 7 further characterized by at leastone additional fixed brush associated with said commutator, and meansfor selectively connecting said additional brush to the same electricpotential as that of said slip ring associated brush to brake said spinmotor prior to said inspection station.

10.v Thecombination defined in claim 9 wherein said means forselectively connecting said additional brush to said slip ring brushincludes a two position limit switch operable in response to rotation ofsaid turret to electrically connect said additional brush to saidcommutator brush when said spin motor is not being braked.

fil In a machine for inspecting transparent containers for the presenceof foreign particles in the liquid contents thereof, a turret having aplurality of angularly spaced chuck means for releasably retaining saidcontainers, means for rotating said turret intermittently so that eachchuck is indexed between a plurality of machine stations with a shortdwell interval at each such station, means for storing a plurality ofupright containers in said machine, means for advancing these containersto an infeed station, means operable in timed relationship with saidturret for elevating each container at said infeed station for insertionin one of said chuck means during said dwell interval, means forselectively spinning each chuck means to cause the liquid to swirltherein, video means at an inspection station for generating successivevideo signals of each container after it has stopped spinning but beforethe liquid contents have stopped swirling, means responsive to saidsuccessive video signals for producing a signal indicative ofthesonditiono said aine s, qntsntswith e pec to the presence of foreignparticles, means for normally releasing containers at a dischargestation in response to such a container content condition signal and forholding containers for subsequent release at a reject station, saidmeans for storing said upright containers and for advancing them to aninfeed station comprising a rotary table having a fixed peripheral fenceand an arcuately shaped radially outwardly extending guide cooperatingwith said fence to define a funnel shapedpassageway into which saidcontainers are urged by said rotating table to feed said containers oneat a time to said infeed station, said means for elevating eachcontainer at said infeed station including a rotary cam driven in timedrelationship with said turret drive, radially reciprocable meansdefining an opening to receive a container in its upright condition in afirst position and to move it readially outwardly to a second positionoff the table, a cam follower block movable vertically upwardly inresponse to rotation of said cam for lifting a container at said secondslide block position so that it can be releasably retained in one ofsaid chuck 9.53

12. The combination defined in claim 11 wherein each of said chuck meanscomprises a holder rotatably supported in said indexable turret andhaving a lower opening adapted to receive the upper end of saidcontainer, and radially movable elements carried by said holder forfrictionally engaging the upper end of the container to cause it torotate with said holder at said sele ctive spinning station.

'13. The combination defined in claim 12 wherein said radially movablemeans in said holder comprises at least two spring loaded elements, andwherein each of said chuck means further includes an axiallyreciprocable plunger for engaging the upper end of the container torelease it from said holder against the bias of said spring loadedelements, and said means at said discharge station for releasingcontainers being operable to u rge said plunger downwardly. i

14. The combination defined in claim 13 wherein said means at saiddischarge station comprises a verti-' cally reciprocable release membermounted in said machine, and wherein said chuck means further includes aradially outwardly extending flange collar slidably mountedon saidholder and connected to said plunger for movement therewith, and meansfor moving said release member downwardly in timed relationship withsaid turret indexing movement. N

15. The combination defined in claim 14 "further characterized by asecond release member, and means for moving said second release memberatsaid subsequent reject station to operate one of said plungers forreleasing a container.

16. The combination defined in claim 11 wherein said means forselectively spinning each chuck means at least during the dwell intervalat one of said machine stations comprises a plurality of electric motorseach of which is drivingly connected to one of said chuck means and eachof which has a pair of conductors associated therewith, a control shaftupon which said turret is rotatably supported in said machine, a slipring on said shaft, a fixed brush for said slip ring, a commutator onsaid shaft and having at least as many distinct conductive angularsegments as said turret has electric motors, and a fixed brush for saidcommutator, said pair of electric motor conductors being connected tosaid segments respectively to allow selective energizing of said spinmotors during at least said dwell interval at said one machine station.

17. The combination defined in claim 11 further characterized by meansfor illuminating the container from below at said inspection station toilluminate any foreign particles present in the swirling liquid, saidmeans comprising a source of light, and a lens system for focusing saidlight entering the bottom of said contain er.

18. The combination defined in claim 16 further commutator brush whensaid spin motor is not being braked.

Z22 3? 4' UNITED STATES PATENT 01 mm CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION PatentNo. 3,765,533 Dsted October 16, 1973 t Edward John Stephens, ErnestVader Hart and Inventor(s) Andre Maurice Vandandaig'ue It' is certifiedthat error appears in th e above-id'entified patent and' that saidLetters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

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, Sig ed and sealed this 11th day of June 1971;.

Attest: v v

EUiIARD M.FLET0HER, JR 0. MARSHALL 1mm Attesting Officer I CCommissioner of Patents

1. In a machine for inspecting transparent containers for the presenceof foreign particles in the liquid contents thereof, the improvementscomprising a turret having a plurality of angularly spaced chucks forreleasably retaining said containers, means for rotating said turretintermittently so that each chuck is indexed between a plurality ofmachine stations with a short dwell interval at each such station,rotary table means for storing a plurality of upright containers and foradvancing them toward an infeed station, means defining a funnel shapedpassageway into which said containers are urged by said rotary tablewhile en route to said infeed station, radially reciprocable meanshaving an opening to receive a contAiner from said funnel shapedpassageway for shifting such container outwardly off the rotary table,cam means for elevating each container so shifted and while it is atsaid infeed station and in timed relationship with said turret drive soas to lift each container in turn into said chuck where it is releasablyretained for movement with said turret.
 2. The combination defined inclaim 1 further characterized by means for selectively spinning eachchuck to cause the liquid to swirl therein, means at an inspectionstation for generating a signal indicative of the condition of saidcontainers contents with respect to the presence of foreign particles,and means for stopping said spinning chuck to allow the liquid contentsonly to swirl at said inspection station.
 3. The combination defined inclaim 2 wherein each of said chuck means comprises a holder rotatablysupported in said indexable turret and having a lower opening adapted toreceive the upper end of said container, and radially movable elementscarried by said holder for frictionally engaging the upper end of thecontainer to cause it to rotate with said holder in response to saidselective chuck spinning means.
 4. The combination defined in claim 3wherein each of said chuck means further includes an axiallyreciprocable plunger for engaging the upper end of the container torelease it from said holder and from the influence of said radiallymovable elements.
 5. The combination defined in claim 4 furthercharacterized by means for releasing inspected containers at a dischargestation, said means comprising a vertically reciprocable release membermounted in said machine, and wherein said chuck means further includes aradially outwardly extending flange collar slidably mounted on saidholder and connected to said plunger for movement therewith, and meansfor moving said release member downwardly in timed relationship withsaid turret indexing movement.
 6. The combination defined in claim 5further characterized by second means for releasing inspected containersat another machine station in addition to said discharge station, saidsecond means including a second release member, and means for movingsaid second release member at said another station, and at least one ofsaid means for releasing containers at one of said machine stationsoperating in response to said container content signal to operate one ofsaid plungers for releasing a container directly from said containercontent signal, said other means for releasing containers operatingcyclically to release every container reaching that station.
 7. Thecombination defined in claim 2 wherein said means for selectivelyspinning each chuck comprises a plurality of electric motors each ofwhich is drivingly connected to one of said chuck means and each ofwhich has a pair of conductors associated therewith, a control shaftupon which said turret is rotatably supported in said machine, a slipring on said shaft, a fixed brush for said slip ring, a commutator onsaid shaft and having at least as many distinct conductive angularsegments as said turret has electric motors, and a fixed brush for saidcommutator, said pair of electric motor conductors being connected tosaid segments respectively to allow selective energizing of said spinmotors.
 8. The combination defined in claim 2 further characterized bymeans for illuminating the container from below at said inspectionstation to illuminate any foreign particles present in the swirlingliquid, said means comprising a source of light so located as to directlight upwardly through the bottom of said container.
 9. The combinationdefined in claim 7 further characterized by at least one additionalfixed brush associated with said commutator, and means for selectivelyconnecting said additional brush to the same electric potential as thatof said slip ring associated brush to brake said spin motor prior tosaid inspection station.
 10. The combination defined in claim 9 whereinsaid means for Selectively connecting said additional brush to said slipring brush includes a two position limit switch operable in response torotation of said turret to electrically connect said additional brush tosaid commutator brush when said spin motor is not being braked.
 11. In amachine for inspecting transparent containers for the presence offoreign particles in the liquid contents thereof, a turret having aplurality of angularly spaced chuck means for releasably retaining saidcontainers, means for rotating said turret intermittently so that eachchuck is indexed between a plurality of machine stations with a shortdwell interval at each such station, means for storing a plurality ofupright containers in said machine, means for advancing these containersto an infeed station, means operable in timed relationship with saidturret for elevating each container at said infeed station for insertionin one of said chuck means during said dwell interval, means forselectively spinning each chuck means to cause the liquid to swirltherein, video means at an inspection station for generating successivevideo signals of each container after it has stopped spinning but beforethe liquid contents have stopped swirling, means responsive to saidsuccessive video signals for producing a signal indicative of thecondition of said container''s contents with respect to the presence offoreign particles, means for normally releasing containers at adischarge station in response to such a container content conditionsignal and for holding containers for subsequent release at a rejectstation, said means for storing said upright containers and foradvancing them to an infeed station comprising a rotary table having afixed peripheral fence and an arcuately shaped radially outwardlyextending guide cooperating with said fence to define a funnel shapedpassageway into which said containers are urged by said rotating tableto feed said containers one at a time to said infeed station, said meansfor elevating each container at said infeed station including a rotarycam driven in timed relationship with said turret drive, radiallyreciprocable means defining an opening to receive a container in itsupright condition in a first position and to move it radially outwardlyto a second position off the table, a cam follower block movablevertically upwardly in response to rotation of said cam for lifting acontainer at said second slide block position so that it can bereleasably retained in one of said chuck means.
 12. The combinationdefined in claim 11 wherein each of said chuck means comprises a holderrotatably supported in said indexable turret and having a lower openingadapted to receive the upper end of said container, and radially movableelements carried by said holder for frictionally engaging the upper endof the container to cause it to rotate with said holder at saidselective spinning station.
 13. The combination defined in claim 12wherein said radially movable means in said holder comprises at leasttwo spring loaded elements, and wherein each of said chuck means furtherincludes an axially reciprocable plunger for engaging the upper end ofthe container to release it from said holder against the bias of saidspring loaded elements, and said means at said discharge station forreleasing containers being operable to urge said plunger downwardly. 14.The combination defined in claim 13 wherein said means at said dischargestation comprises a vertically reciprocable release member mounted insaid machine, and wherein said chuck means further includes a radiallyoutwardly extending flange collar slidably mounted on said holder andconnected to said plunger for movement therewith, and means for movingsaid release member downwardly in timed relationship with said turretindexing movement.
 15. The combination defined in claim 14 furthercharacterized by a second release member, and means for moving saidsecond release member at said subsequent reject station to operate oneof said plUngers for releasing a container.
 16. The combination definedin claim 11 wherein said means for selectively spinning each chuck meansat least during the dwell interval at one of said machine stationscomprises a plurality of electric motors each of which is drivinglyconnected to one of said chuck means and each of which has a pair ofconductors associated therewith, a control shaft upon which said turretis rotatably supported in said machine, a slip ring on said shaft, afixed brush for said slip ring, a commutator on said shaft and having atleast as many distinct conductive angular segments as said turret haselectric motors, and a fixed brush for said commutator, said pair ofelectric motor conductors being connected to said segments respectivelyto allow selective energizing of said spin motors during at least saiddwell interval at said one machine station.
 17. The combination definedin claim 11 further characterized by means for illuminating thecontainer from below at said inspection station to illuminate anyforeign particles present in the swirling liquid, said means comprisinga source of light, and a lens system for focusing said light enteringthe bottom of said container.
 18. The combination defined in claim 16further characterized by at least one additional fixed brush associatedwith said commutator, and means for selectively connecting saidadditional brush to the same electric potential as that of said slipring associated brush to brake said spin motor prior to said inspectstation.
 19. The combination defined in claim 18 wherein said means forselectively connecting said additional brush to said slip ring brushincludes a two position limit switch operable in response to rotation ofsaid turret to electrically connect said additional brush to saidcommutator brush when said spin motor is not being braked.